Which features matter to you?

Shoppers looking for seeds and texture

For a substantial breakfast or a filled lunch, you’ll want to know which seeds are in the bread. The ingredients list tells you more than a dark crust or a rustic name.

Shoppers prioritising wholemeal and fibre

If wholemeal is your priority, check the product description and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

If you have an allergy or need to avoid certain ingredients for another reason, the information for that specific bread is what matters. Check the latest label before buying, or ask for allergen information if the bread is sold loose.

What should you look for?

First decide whether texture, wholemeal, allergen information or how you plan to use the bread matters most to you. Then compare only the product details that are relevant to your choice.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g. If I want wholemeal bread too, I don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone. For around 31% of consumers, this choice of wholemeal bread and fibre matters most.
Seeds Check which seeds are listed in the ingredients. For a filled lunch, I’m mainly looking for bread with a seed texture I enjoy. Around 23% of consumers prioritise texture.
Allergens and ingredients Read the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the bread currently on sale; ask for information if it’s sold loose. If I need to avoid an ingredient, I want to be able to check the information before buying. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Size and storage Choose a whole loaf, half loaf or another size, and read the storage and freezing advice. If I only eat bread occasionally, I want a size that suits how I use it. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this convenience.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ or visible seeds mean wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to the types of grain used, but doesn’t necessarily mean the whole grain has been used. Bread with seeds can also contain some refined flour.

    Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging and, if fibre matters to you, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Checking allergens only after buying

    The seed mix and other ingredients vary from one loaf to another, so you can’t tell whether bread is suitable for someone with an allergy from its name alone.

    Check the latest allergen information before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must also be available before purchase for unpackaged foods; ask for it if needed.

  • Comparing fibre or salt across different serving sizes

    Values per slice are difficult to compare when the slices aren’t the same size. This can make the difference between two loaves look misleading.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then consider which size suits the occasion.

  • Choosing a whole loaf without a storage plan

    A whole loaf might be more than you need for one lunch or a small household.

    Check whether a half loaf would suit you better. If you plan to freeze it, follow the advice for that specific product.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

A brand to consider if you want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information for a specific multigrain loaf.

  • The product information for AH Zaans meergranen includes details such as ingredients, allergens and freezing advice.
  • AH Zaans meergranen is listed as discontinued. Check the details for the bread you can actually buy.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you’re looking for wholemeal multigrain bread with named seeds.

  • For Stevig Meergranen, Jumbo lists ingredients including sunflower seeds, linseed and sesame, with 8,6 g of fibre and 0,96 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Check the details for the current product. Information for one Jumbo loaf doesn’t necessarily apply to another.

Lidl

An option to look out for in store if you’re after freshly baked multigrain bread.

  • Lidl publishes an ingredients and allergen overview for its freshly baked bread range.
  • Check the current ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific loaf in store.

Aldi

Worth considering if you want to look at floor-baked bread or a wholemeal multigrain option with grains and seeds.

  • ALDI describes its luxe vloerbrood meergranen as a bread with grains and seeds that is pre-sliced.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the label of the option you choose.

PLUS

A brand to compare if you want to check the wholemeal label and nutritional values of a multigrain loaf against other breads.

  • PLUS describes Korenlanders Donker Meergranen as a whole wholemeal multigrain loaf, and lists 6,8 g of fibre and 1,02 g of salt per 100 g.
  • Don’t use the product information for this option as the nutritional information for other PLUS breads.

Dirk

Worth considering if you want to look at half loaves, multiseed bread or bake-at-home options as well as multigrain bread.

  • Dirk lists options including Bakker van der Akker meergranen, Multikorn volkoren and bake-at-home multiseed bread.
  • Open the information for the specific product or read the label to compare ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread with seeds automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread is made with at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t mean that the bread is wholemeal. Check the product description if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.

How do I check allergens in seeded bread?

Before buying, read the allergen information for the specific bread, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged bread must be available before purchase. Ask for it if you can’t see it straight away.

Does all multigrain bread contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain bread’. If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list on the loaf you’re buying. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Zaans meergranen.

What should I do if I can’t eat a whole loaf quickly?

First, see whether a smaller size would suit you better. Otherwise, follow the storage advice for the bread you choose. Albert Heijn and PLUS say that their multigrain products can be frozen on the day of purchase.